Former Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr will retire from associate A.D. role in September
Former Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr, shown at a golf outing in May, will retire from his associate athletic director's role at Michigan in September, the university announced today.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
After three decades at Michigan, Lloyd Carr is retiring.
The longtime Michigan football coach, who retired following the 2008 season, will officially retire Sept. 1, the university announced on Tuesday. Carr, who turns 65 later this month, has worked as an associate athletic director for the past 2 1/2 years since stepping down as Michigan's 17th coach.
"I knew I would need a transition from coaching and I always felt when I was a coach I wanted to know when it was time (to retire) and so I kind of used the same process with this," Carr said in a phone interview Tuesday night. "I'm extremely happy with the direction of Michigan athletics. So I felt very good about leaving.
"I knew this was a transition time and I knew there would be a time when I really wanted to step back and do some other things."
Carr led Michigan to a national title in 1997 and retired from coaching after leading Michigan to an upset win over Florida in the 2008 Capital One Bowl. Carr posted a career record of 122-40 (81-23 in the Big Ten). Under Carr, the Wolverines won five Big Ten titles and he was one of three Michigan coaches to win more than 100 games, joining Schembechler and Fielding Yost.
Carr was the second Big Ten coach to post an undefeated regular season in his third year of head coaching. He also was the seventh coach in NCAA history to reach 29 wins in three seasons.
But with Carr, success extended well beyond football.
"When you look back at his career at the university, what I'll remember him as is being one of the great leaders in the history of the university - not just the football program, but the university itself," former Michigan quarterback Brian Griese told AnnArbor.com Tuesday afternoon. "He embodied so much more than just being a football coach.
"He has been able to transcend the game of football and become a leader of men and a leader of the university."
In his role as co-chair, Carr and his wife, Laurie, - along with Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon and his wife, Jan - have helped raise $75 million for the hospital project. As passionate as he is about football, it's Carr's passion for helping others, specifically at C.S. Mott, that will remain part of his legacy.
"He is unbelievably passionate about helping our children's hospital and it is driven from one of his core values of giving and giving back," C.S. Mott Hospital executive director Pat Warner said in a phone interview Tuesday.
"It's a gift that is very special. He's so giving and every time I hear him speak, his passion just (comes out) and that's invaluable. His commitment to Mott, the time he volunteers and the enthusiasm and energy he generates in others is a gift and you can't put a price tag on that. It's invaluable."
Warner said Carr has led by example, encouraging his players to make weekly visits to Mott, where they'd spend time with patients. He also runs an annual car wash, which benefits the hospital, adding to his long-lasting legacy within the Ann Arbor community.
“Lloyd Carr's legacy is an impressive and important part of Michigan's rich history and tradition of excellence in football,” Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman said in a statement Tuesday “He has served the university as well through his advocacy and passion for a number of philanthropic causes. We are grateful for his long and successful service and wish him well in retirement.”
Added Brandon: "Coach Carr is a man of integrity. I admire and appreciate his love for all of our student-athletes and his many contributions to not only our University, but his work on behalf of numerous charitable causes throughout the State of Michigan."
Jeff Arnold covers sports for AnnArbor.com and can be reached at (734) 623-2554 or by email at jeffarnold@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @jeffreyparnold.
Comments
PortageLkBlu
Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 8:35 p.m.
paul griffith, I agree and don't understand that attitude. Years ago while in the Air Force I remember the same attitude with keeping people away from Black Bird which was a spy plane but I do understand wanting to keep the play book away from the wrong hands such as well such as Indiana coaches but to be rude and sarcastic to Michigan fans well that doesn't sit right with me. I like RR he's realistic about many things and seems thankful to the Mich. faithful even though his tenure at Mich. is not what I would call a warm Mich. welcome. I grew up in Mich. and one of the things at least in my family was a gracious attitude towards guests in my home. Regardless of whether or not that guest was the best of friends with mom and dad my mom and dad were always gracious hosts in their home. I for one want to extend the welcome to RR and his family and I think RR is smart enough to understand that if he can't do the job at Michigan then he can't have the job but while RR and his family are here I wish him the very best and extend a big fat Michigan welcome to him and his family.
InsideTheHall
Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 11:22 a.m.
This sets the stage for Carr to make a triumphant return to the sidelines in 2011 after RR is fired. The classy Carr understands he could not do that if he was on the inside. Carr will come in for 2 years to stabilize the program while Brandon finds a worthy long term coach. Think Snyder and K-State.
paul griffith
Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 8:54 a.m.
Tru2Blu, I was and still am stunned that Mr. Carr would hold a practice outside the confines of the walled practice area or indoor facility and expect folks NOT to stop and watch from public property. That he felt it acceptable to ask/tell/attempt to intimidate folks into moving along when he chose to put his team out in the open for all to view is just wrong. I didn't climb a tree to spy, I just stood on the sidewalk and watched.
PortageLkBlu
Wed, Jul 14, 2010 : 8:01 p.m.
Edward Ghost, right on brother your stats prove LLoyd was an average good coach. One other note boys and girls, in reading these blogs it's pretty much normal that 50% liked and disliked LLoyd and it looks pretty much the same with RR 50% like him 50% don't. In winning years the scales tip so it looks like it comes down to winning so RR here's hoping you have a winning year and again I'll say it, winning is everything heck, just ask Pete Carrol, USC would love to have him still coaching.
treetowncartel
Wed, Jul 14, 2010 : 3:01 p.m.
Yes Jimmy Johnson, really! Put his record up to any of Michigan's coaches. I didn't say he had to lie, just keep quiet, but thanks for putting words in my mouth. Frankly, I think Moeller should have never been fired. They let the hockey coach urinate in public but the football coach can't flirt with a woman?
Yelmonian
Wed, Jul 14, 2010 : 2:06 p.m.
Reading all of the comments... I think it's time for a name change. It should be called... THE BIG HOUSE DIVIDED.
dk
Wed, Jul 14, 2010 : 12:04 p.m.
"No sooner had I stopped to watch when a football assistant came to me and said I had to leave because it was a private practice" Paul, exact same thing happened to me. I was watching from the Stadium bridge and a young guy (GA I assume) came and told me I had to leave. I told him he had to kiss my @$$. He left and another, older, larger, more cocky coach came and gave me the exact same message. I responded the same way I did to the younger one. He told me that if I was a real fan I'd leave since "Coach Carr will now have to move the entire practice inside". I told him I was a "real fan" and that I hope Oosterbann had AC. It wasn't just Carr that pulled that crap Bo and Moeller did the same thing. Carr was a class act all the way.
Newzdog
Wed, Jul 14, 2010 : 11:50 a.m.
Lorain Steelmen - DITTO
brandon johns
Wed, Jul 14, 2010 : 9:50 a.m.
treetown, Jimmy Johnson, really? Oh and you believe LC should have lied on the recruiting trail? Bottom line on coach Carr: Some great season's, a couple of crappy seasons, some great games, a few crappy game. Not perfect, but on and off the field class and one very memorable and perfect season that ended in a national championship. Those are the facts.
Lorain Steelmen
Wed, Jul 14, 2010 : 9:39 a.m.
Rightmind250...Give it up, as near as I can tell, Lloyd never coached for Rodriguez. Carr DID coach for Bo and Moeller. Hence his specific referral. Nothing more, and nothing less. Don't make more out of that, than exists! I will say, however, that when Bo retired, he took a huge step back, and did not want to infringe on Moeller's program. I think Lloyd just followed Bo's example there. By the way, Bo wanted Moeller kept on as coach, before Lloyd was named interim coach. (I agreed with Bo.) Bo then supported Carr, AFTER, the decision was made. (Again I agreed with Bo's support of Carr.) In my opinion, Moeller's offense was significantly better than Bo's, and his defenses nearly as good. Moeller remains very under-rated here, and under appreciated. Rodriguez IS an extremely good coach, and given the next two years, will build a powerhouse program. Lloyd had allowed the program to slip, over his last few years, but still, over his career here, did an excellent job! Carr's a good man. So is Rodriguez. Fans may forget, or just may not know, that Bo inherited a powerful, talented team in 1969. Rodriguez was not so fortunate in 2008. Ask Coach Hanlon, if he feels that our fans should be patient with RR, and his staff. Finally, I can tell you, NO ONE would have dared to attack Bo, for 'working the team too hard'! Bo would have just said, 'go on, if you can't handle the work, get out of here!' Bo would be a huge supporter of Rodriguez!
Trouble
Wed, Jul 14, 2010 : 9:20 a.m.
Coach Carr 7-4 Avg. look good now. Lloyd multi-millionaire... he be ok!
a2roots
Wed, Jul 14, 2010 : 7:45 a.m.
Good luck LC. @Kilroy had it correct. LC is not as sweet and huggable as he is portrayed.
rightmind250
Wed, Jul 14, 2010 : 7:31 a.m.
Kilroy: It looks like Lloyd was right about Les Miles. Les is on his way out at LSU because of his boneheaded mistakes and the fact he can't coach a lick. So when Lloyd mentions the honor of coaching with Bo and Gary and doesn't mention richrod, you might want to take note. Lorain: If RR retires with 140 or 150 wins it won't be at the UM, probably at some junior high in Arkansas where he coaches women's field hockey.
A2lover
Wed, Jul 14, 2010 : 5:41 a.m.
Yes, Lloyd was a conservative and sometimes boring coach but at least he had some integrity, a real love of the game and like the turtle and the hare, slowly led the team to some great years, championships and games. It must be heartbreaking to see the football program cannibalized by Rich Rod, his cronies and the current administration. I'm surprised he did go earlier. Watching the past two seasons must have been brutal. Go, God speed, and get with a football program that deserves you Lloyd!
treetowncartel
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 10:05 p.m.
I for one will never forgive the selfishness of this man for publicizing his retiremnt prior to his last bowl game. It rea;;y mucked up the process for finding his replacemnt. There was no reason for the early announcement to the public. He could have told the team before they took the field in the bowl game and announced it right after. The early announcement allowed the ADs of the respective candidates to circke the wagons arounfd their guy. But then again, Bill martin should have taken some of that 226 Million dollars and coaxed Jimmy Johnson back out of retirement.
paul griffith
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 7:56 p.m.
Remember when Drew Henson and Huggie Bear's son were freshman? I saw the team practicing on the Field Hockey turf and stopped to see them in the flesh. I was happy that my school had such fine recruits and since they were out in the sunshine along State street I stopped to view them. No sooner had I stopped to watch when a football assistant came to me and said I had to leave because it was a private practice. I responded that maybe then they should go behind their wall (to their practice field) or even into the indoor facility as I was on public property and they were in plain view. Kid didn't want to hear it as Coach had sent him to chase me off. I told him I was an old Blue letter winner and thought that a practice in plain view was an invitation to view but he wanted me gone. I hopped on my bike and rode to the Stadium bridge to see if paranoid Lloyd would send someone to chase me off the bridge and yes indeed he did. That sense of entitlement, that he could try to tell people on public property where they could or could not stand told me all I needed to know about Carr. Good bye and so long. How much was he paid since he retired as coach? To do what? Michigan's athletic department is a house of cards... you need to drink the kool-aid to believe.
DonBee
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 7:42 p.m.
Lloyd Carr represents true class as a coach and taught young men how to be caring adults who are willing to give back to the community. I wish him all the best in retirement.
GettingBluer
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 7:21 p.m.
Good luck in retirement Lloyd. I definitely enjoyed the teams you coached and admired the example you set on and off the field.
Sean T.
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 6:58 p.m.
Best wishes!
kilroy
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 6:31 p.m.
Someday the real reason will come out as to why Lloyd put the kybosh on the plan to hire Les Miles. He is not the class act people think.
Brian Bundesen
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 5:36 p.m.
A Class Act, a man of integrity, and a true gentleman. He was a great asset to the football program and the University. Congratulations Coach, and enjoy your retirement.
SonnyDog09
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 5:29 p.m.
"I am thankful for the wonderful opportunity to assist two great coaches here in Bo Schembechler and Gary Moeller..." No mention of RichRod. I'm not sure that I would classify Moeller as a great coach, either. His offense was plodding and predictable. We used to call the plays from the stands. Enjoy your retirement, coach. You've earned it.
PortageLkBlu
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 5:22 p.m.
Who are you guys kidding he wasn't all that great he was an average coach that fell into a job at a great University with an attraction to great young recruits which made him look like a decent coach, Just kidding!
ExA2ite
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 5:20 p.m.
Lloyd Carr is a class guy all the way. Thank you for your years of service. It will not be forgotten.
azwolverine
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 4:16 p.m.
I think David Brandon summed it up best when he said, "Coach Carr is a man of integrity." Good luck, coach.
81wolverine
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 4:09 p.m.
I think we should all be grateful to LC for his years of great service and all the big wins. He was a man of integrity all the way and ALWAYS had the best interests of his players at heart. Was he perfect? No, but who is? Some people should quit reading too much into this announcement. He's going to finally be able to retire and travel, and let's all be happy for him - AND thankful. Best wishes Lloyd!
boom
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 3:46 p.m.
I am thankful for all that Coach Carr has done for Michigan and wish him all the best in the future. He is one class act.
Stephen Landes
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 3:31 p.m.
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Give up the psychoanalysis and just let people live -- and retire -- in peace. It seems to me that folks who are so interested in looking for something behind this announcement are more concerned with themselves than with Coach Carr.
M-Fan
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 3:22 p.m.
Lloyd is a part of the Michigan football program that that was admired and respected. Three generations of my family attended many of the Women's football academy. I understand that since he left the attandance dropped from 500 to "...almost 200.." this year (as per the website) Lloyd has CLASS! He is someone that can be respected. Braylon Edwards pride in "Lloyd Carr's University of Michigan" said it all. How long before the 'powers that be' realize that the present program has lost a lot of respect (
Yelmonian
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 3:19 p.m.
Congrats to Lloyd and thanks for his years of hard work. As a fan of a team that regularly were beaten down by Lloyd's teams, I hated to see him coaching. To see him leave after serving in a professional, successful manner... that represented the State of Michigan well... I hate to see him leave.
Lorain Steelmen
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 3:05 p.m.
This is a non-story. Lloyd was a great representative for the football program, and for the university. Many of us liked him, and appreciate his dedication to the Wolverines. He stayed in his post, until the new coach was hired, and the new AD got squared away. I say congrats coach, and best wishes to you and Laurie in retirement! I think he had over 120 wins, which is great! (Being UM head coach is a 24/7 job, and it takes it's toll!) Meanwhile I'm sure lloyd has the full support of both Brandon and Rodriguez. These two men will continue UM's tradition of greatness, and they will, in turn, have Lloyd's full support. That's the way it should be! Go Blue! Fifteen or twenty years from now, RR will retire with 140 to 150 wins, several league titles, and hopefully, several NC's as well!
48104
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 2:49 p.m.
Simple math would suggest that this is 30 years after he was hired, which may well be a meaningful number in terms of benefits or whatever. Let's be rational.
Detroitrocks
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 2:41 p.m.
Happy trails.
mmb
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 2:40 p.m.
Thank you Coach for not only being a great Michigan Man but also for being a man of honor and integrity. You are one of the greats - hats off and Go Blue to you!
michboy40
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 2:40 p.m.
Hmm...Should we read into this?...or just write it off as a guy retiring after a long, distinguished career? Reading into it is more fun! I think he retired because he hoped that DB would come in and fire RR. When that did not happen, and his voice was not heard, he said to heck with it, you can all go down, but I'm not going down with you!
Blue Marker
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 2:33 p.m.
Or is could be he's decided to relax and take care of himself in retirement. Does everything have to have a sinister back-plot? Thanks Coach for being such a great Michigan Man!
Aashish
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 2:22 p.m.
methinks Lloyd does not get along with the new regime at AD? Just a thought...
ScottyBoy
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 2:17 p.m.
They gave this guy $2 million when he resigned as foot coach and around $300,000 per year. How much did they pay him to leave? First the track coach and now Lloyd Carr - seems like someone is finally purging the place.
Kubrick66
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 2:16 p.m.
Our relationship has been tumultuous at times... but in the end you will be missed. Thanks for your many years of service to Michigan Football. K66